I don't exactly see this turning Toyota Tundra sales around, but for those unique individuals who like their full-size trucks with at least 500 horsepower, Toyota has answered with the Tundra TRD.
Our test truck featured not only the supercharged ($5,875) 5.7-liter V8 (with 504 horsepower/550 lb-ft of torque), but also the TRD cold-air intake ($475), TRD brakes ($2,795), TRD exhaust system ($1,030) and the TRD rear sway bar kit ($259). It also had 22-inch TRD wheels with Toyo Proxes tires ($4,699). And because these are all Toyota-authorized parts they come with warranty protection.
Like most of these hot-rod trucks the Tundra feels quick but a little out-of-sorts when trying to access all 500 horses. If anything the TRD version feels a little more out of sorts than its domestic cousins because Toyota's standard-issue "protect me from myself" thinking plays into the truck's power delivery.
If you leave traction control on it kills any attempt at fun. If you turn traction control off it waits an extra second or two before killing any attempt at fun. The problem I kept running into was not just off-the-line TC interference (this can be curtailed if you disable traction control and keep the truck pointed straight), but also upshift-induced traction control.
Basically, when it hits second gear there's a second round of wheel spin, which is good. But the engine controller kept quelling the power to counteract this, which is bad. I think there may be a combination of buttons, switches and/or chants that will fully disable the computer protection, but at some point I'm left wondering why I must try to outsmart the electronic nannies on what is suppoed to be a performance truck.
However, I do continue to be amazed at how quickly a full-sized truck can move when properly set up. Traction control issues aside, this extremly large cargo hauler handles, stops and (excluding the TC hiccups) accelerates far better than a 5,000-pound vehicle should.
Keep in mind that, depending on how you equip the base Tundra before adding all the TRD items, you're looking at well over $40,000. And that's before the monthly gas bill.
By yankeez
on September 11, 2008
07:56 AM
The soul of the Dodge Ram SRT-10 LIVES!
By orangutan
on September 11, 2008
08:14 AM
How much performance does all that money really gain you, though? It may be fast going, stopping and not falling over, but is it $15,000 so?
By ahightower
on September 11, 2008
08:19 AM
Ooh, I get to go on one of my favorite rants again. What, $40K and no fog lights? Does anything scream "CHEAPSKATE!" louder than gigantic holes in the bumper where fog lights belong? Plus that fake intake above the grille is as cheesy as the side "vents" on a Focus or the faux fender portholes on every other hoopty in the wrong side of town. I'm trying to like the Tundra, I really am, but I keep getting hung up on littel details that rub me the wrong way.
And I always laugh when I see "TRD" on the side of a truck and sound it out phonetically (turd). Maybe it's just me.
By sabastian
on September 11, 2008
08:34 AM
This is 2008. Gas is $4 a gallon. Aren't 500hp uber-trucks on their deathbed?
By blackadder5639
on September 11, 2008
08:56 AM
I just don't see the point of hot-rod pickups. I'd prefer one with a diesel engine instead, maybe one similar to that in the Touareg......that would give me torque and (relatively speaking) fuel economy. But instead of spending $40k on this thing I'd get an Evo.
By heffling
on September 11, 2008
09:50 AM
How does it compare to a Ford F-150 Lightning or a Dodge Ram SRT-8?
By dougtheeng
on September 11, 2008
10:03 AM
ahightower...
+1 on the foglight comments. This is a huge pet peeve I have with car companies. I know its a cost saving measure, but if I don't order fog lights, I sure don't want a black slot in the front. Even my beloved MINI does this with the rear fog light. Just make a new bumped for pete's sake.
By moparbad
on September 11, 2008
10:37 AM
Fog lights, we don't need no stinkin fog lights!
By billt9
on September 11, 2008
11:40 AM
Fog lights are rich wives' jewelry!
Turn your fog light on or off, there's no difference if you have HID main headlights!
By rick8365
on September 11, 2008
11:49 AM
+2 on the foglights....that's what caught my eye when I looked at the picture. If a 40K performance street truck isn't the right application....what is?
This model has one other odd appearance thing (IMO) about the Tundra, the giant doors. Around here (NJ) the regular cab model is rare. When I've seen one from the side what I notice are the huge doors - these are some gaping door openings....quite odd.
Otherwise, I dig the look of the truck. I'm a car guy but a truck lover at heart. Hot rod and well done off road mods are a hit with me.
By ahightower
on September 11, 2008
12:10 PM
To clarify, I'm not saying I need fog lights. I never use mine. I just hate the empty holes.
By cruiserhead1
on September 11, 2008
12:12 PM
Karl,
There are 2 different circuits at play. The traction control and VSC. Both can be disabled with a simple mod, but I get your point that there should just be a switch in the first place.
I think it's just the lawyers getting their way on that point.
By ahightower
on September 11, 2008
12:15 PM
Might be nice if those side mirrors and door handles were color-matched as well. Seriously, $4700 for fancy wheels and the whole look gets ruined by a few cheap details.
By billt9
on September 11, 2008
02:41 PM
The Product is not the truck. This is not a finished truck trim like the Dodge Ram SRT-10.
The product are the add on parts.
Why they put the turbo and air intake on a base model Tundra, who knows.
I guess we are addicted to bling after all. We're so shallow only bling bling counts. Who cares about the engine. I agree with this view as I agree the outside bling is the important part. This is how I pick women too.
By billt9
on September 11, 2008
02:51 PM
"Keep in mind that, depending on how you equip the base Tundra before adding all the TRD items, you're looking at well over $40,000. And that's before the monthly gas bill."
TRD claims the supercharged (I do not know why in the last post I put "turbo".) engine gets 3 mpg BETTER.
http://www.trdusa.com/featuredpart.cfm?part=Superchargera
On the mellow days. Not on the days where you drive like a madman, hence the reason why you bought the supercharger.
By ramon1
on September 11, 2008
05:42 PM
I'll take the Ford Lightning any day. That was a great-looking, great-performing truck. I test-drove it several times but couldn't convince the Mrs. to let me buy one.
Had a shot at a good used one two months ago, but premium gas at $4+ combined with a vehicle that delivered 13 mpg killed my enthusiasm.
By billt9
on September 11, 2008
07:37 PM
11/15 mpg on the 2004 Ford Lightning lolol
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/2008car1tablef.jsp?id=19984
By rick8365
on September 12, 2008
05:37 AM
I would take a Lightning too....but as a weekend fun ride, not as a daily driver. One thing I never thought was right about the Lightning was the column shifter. I would really have preferred to see a manual trans but if it's going to be an auto....please put the shifter on the console.
By cruiserhead1
on September 12, 2008
10:56 AM
I'll take the Tundra TRD! The 5.7 is just the best gasser in a 1/2 ton period. The quality is the best and it is just the best in class.
I'm not a fan of the styling but looks good in the swb single cab sb pictured.
The TRD SC just surges the power. Wish they had a turbo option to really go crazy with power but the SC is good for reliable bolt-on power.
By beezwax
on December 29, 2008
01:00 PM
isnt that a near base model 5.7L?
who cares about fogs really.. have you seen how figgin bright stock headlights are?
<--- Proud Tundra Owner
By albamarle
on January 8, 2009
10:12 AM
Toyota to Post $1.7 Billion Loss
That’s right. The gold standard of manufacturing is not exempt from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. In November, Toyota’s sales dropped 34%. GM’s sales were down 41%. People aren’t buying cars or much of anything right now. The value of the yen has risen 25% since summer, which makes autos significantly more expensive overseas (or the losses even bigger).
But let’s take a look at the rest of the story. It is Toyota’s first financial loss in 70 Years. In 2007, Toyota posted $28 billion in operating profit.